Keeping God Informed

Someone has said, we cannot tell God anything He doesn't already know. When we pray, we simply put into words what He's been aware of all along. 

Missions is no exception, either.

That doesn't make prayer unnecessary; rather, it encourages us to pray. We find relief in talking to Someone who knows us and our situation fully. It's a comfort to know that God's response arises not from information we give Him, but from His perfect knowledge of our circumstances. He knows all conditions-past, present, future-that bear on our well-being. 

"Your Father knows," Jesus said in Matthew 6:8. He knows our thoughts, out intentions, our desires; He is intimately acquainted with all our ways (Psalm 139:3). He knows the anguish of our heart, the strain of continual frustration, the enemies inside and outside that war against our souls. 

So, can we presume to dictate the time and terms of our deliverance from trials or adversity? Can we say our way is better, more likely to develop our soul? No, we cannot teach God anything. He alone knows the way to bring us to glory. Out of all possible paths, He has chosen the best, the route most adapted to who we are and what He has in store for us. 

We cannot teach God knowledge, but we can love and trust Him. That's all He asks of us.

After 40 years of missionary service, I can personally vouch for God's protection during times of intense bombings (in Egypt and Lebanon), kidnappings (our son. Greg was kidnapped), delirious illnesses in swamp infested jungles in the Philippines and in the mountains of Nepal. He was there. Protecting. Guiding.  Watching. Prompting faithful prayer warriors back home to pray.

Thanks for the prayers. And, thank God for the opportunity to pray! Knowing that He already knows and eagerly anticipates our prayers. Not to inform, but rather to prompt us to pray, so that we may draw closer to him and acknowledge our dependence on His saving Grace.